Term 1 Week 2

06 February 2019

Our annual Founder’s Day service was held at St John’s Cathedral yesterday.

From the Deputy Headmaster (Co-Curricular and HR)

As we settle into another school year, it is timely to remind ourselves of the fundamental role the co-curricular programme at Churchie plays in this process. In conjunction with the academic, service and spiritual dimensions of their education, the boys’ involvement in the co-curricular realm serves to provide the balance across Churchie’s four tenets.

It is important to realise that these dimensions, pillars or areas work in harmony with each other. This is encapsulated in the prefix ‘co’ rather than ‘extra’ when referring to the ‘co’-curricular. ‘Co’ refers to something that is mutual or joined or together. The boys’ involvement in the co-curricular realm is intended to be an important part—or even an inextricable component—of their education that works in harmony with the other aspects. This is reflected in the value placed upon co-curricular activities by staff, students and parents, who believe in its importance.

Through their involvement in a co-curricular activity, boys will garner a strong set of lessons and values that are enduring. Their experience as sportsmen, artists and musicians who give their all to seek personal bests and team success is highly rewarding. However, such lessons and values should transcend the mere impartation of a set of physical skills and technical knowledge.

In a Churchie educational context, we seek the development of well-balanced young men who embrace challenges and have a deep understanding and appreciation of the importance of such challenges and the process of their education. Of course, through our coaches, training staff, facilities and programmes, boys are encouraged to be competitive, enjoying success, but building resilience in defeat. However, the overall hope is that the transcending values and lessons learned during this time will endure in each boy.

It is with this in mind that Churchie offers such a broad co-curricular programme. Given that its underlying purpose is to provide opportunities for growth, it is important that the amalgam of such opportunities is diverse in order to reflect the diversity of our boys’ talents and interests. The many sports and activities are testament to the School’s commitment to provide the boys with a range of opportunities for growth. Moreover, it ensures that the co-curricular programme is one that contributes in a meaningful manner to their overall education.

Last night at St John’s Cathedral, the Churchie community joined together to commemorate Founder’s Day and anoint and commission our 2019 school leaders. Founder’s Day established in 1987, during Churchie’s seventy-fifth anniversary year, in honour of Churchie’s founder Canon Morris. The evening also represents a fundamental part of Churchie’s culture, where we recognise the importance of spiritual awareness in emphasising to our boys the value of an inclusive community, where our leaders serve faithfully.

This is an area of particular interest, as Churchie’s co-curricular affords boys a multiplicity of opportunities for leadership. Moreover, this leadership, in a co-curricular context is witnessed by the wider community. For example, coupled with the level of competence and expertise on display, is there an obvious humility, selflessness, industry and respect in these sporting pursuits? Is there genuine greeting and hospitality to those visiting parents and school rivals? Is there clear evidence that the Churchie cheering squads appreciate fair play and talent in the opposition, even at the hands of defeat? This is a powerful indication of the Churchie culture and student leadership within. In essence, a clear opportunity exists for our student leaders to demonstrate what our founder hoped they would become—gifts to Australia’s future.

Finally, to complement this process, it is important to allow the opportunity for our Year 12 leaders to take some ownership of how this looks. It is this reason that we appoint our co-curricular captains and prefects each year so as to lead a vibrant, vocal and tangible chorus of student support. I would like to acknowledge all our student leaders and wish them and all students a most enjoyable year across all domains.

John FrareDeputy Headmaster (Co-Curricular and HR)

Prefects

Jack Butler-Wood, School Captain

Patrick Brookes, Vice-Captain

Christian Hii, Vice-Captain

Hunter Wright, Head Boarder

Jamie Denholm, Prefect

Matthew Hains, Prefect

Gus John, Prefect

Aidan King, Prefect

Josh Mackenzie, Prefect

Nicholas Malouf, Prefect

Jack Meppem, Prefect

Matthew Patterson, Prefect

Aaron Prosser, Prefect

Lachlan Smith, Prefect

Lachlan Toovey, Prefect

Prefects

House Captains

Mitch Wanstall, Biggs House Captain

Luke Caswell, Casey House Captain

Peter Body, Gerald House Captain

Hunter Macfarlane, Goodwin House Captain

James Laube, Grenfell House Captain

Jake Bible, Hillary House Captain

Sam Thomas, Kingsley House Captain

Noah Duval, Magnus House Captain

Ky Robinson, Mansfield House Captain

Jamie Lorenti, Mawson House Captain

George Walker, Nansen House Captain

House captains

Sports and Activities Captains

Aiden Summerfield, Captain of Basketball

William Quayle, Captain of Boats

Henry Slater-Jones, Captain of Chess

Aaron Prosser, Captain of Cricket

Ky Robinson, Captain of Cross Country

Noah Duval, Captain of Debating

Lachlan Moffatt, Captain of Drama

Lachlan Smith, Captain of Football

Austin Macfarlane, Captain of Media

Mitch Wanstall, Captain of Music

Aidan King, Captain of Rugby

Nicholas Malouf, Captain of Service

Jack Franklin, Captain of Stage Crew

Jake Bible, Captain of Swimming

Josh Mackenzie, Captain of Tennis

Ky Robinson, Captain of Track and Field

Henry Trimmer, Captain of Volleyball

Lachlan Butler, Head Air Force Cadet

Oliver Farquhar, Head Army Cadet

James Park, Head Navy Cadet

Fraser Bannerman, Head Sacristan

Sports and activities captains

Prep School Student Leaders

Fletcher Austin

Aiden Ball

Kaiden Ball

Alexander Barrett

Joshua Crain

James Dew

Max Gleeson

Max O’Connor

Fraser Roach

George Samios

Prep School student leaders

New myChurchie LMS (Schoolbox) release

Schoolbox has been selected as Churchie's new learning management system (LMS) from the start of the 2019 school year. The old LMS (Blackboard / myLearning tab) was retired at the end of December 2018 and is no longer available to parents and students.

The initial focus will be on the LMS part of Schoolbox, and not all features will be rolled out in the beginning. For the start of 2019, the first phase of the project will focus on communication of an academic nature (Announcements, Course Overview, Contact Us and Assessment Details).

More information will continuously be released to parents and students as the LMS sites are developed throughout the course of the year.

Prep School News

The first week of the 2019 school year has been busy and productive in the Prep School; there is so much happening. It was a particular delight to see our newest Reception boys beginning their Churchie journey as they gathered in the Canon Jones Memorial Chapel last Tuesday. Since then, boys from Reception to Year 6 have been busy in the classroom and in the playground; and already have achieved much.

Value of the Week: Cooperation

Cooperation is working together and sharing the load. When we cooperate, we join with others to do things that cannot be done alone. We are willing to follow the rules that keep everyone safe and happy. Together we can accomplish great things. This week the boys are practising handshakes.

Years 4 to 6 Parent Information Evening

I remind parents of boys in Years 4 to 6 that there will be a Parent Information Evening next Monday night 11 February, commencing at 6.30 pm in the Campbell Centre and concluding by 8 pm in the classrooms. I hope to see you there.

Prep Support Group

The Parents and Friends Association (P&F) represents all parents of Churchie. The Prep Support Group is a subset of the P&F, representing parents of the Prep School and attending to matters relating to the Prep School. The Prep Support Group and I will co-host a Prep School parent morning tea next week on Thursday 14 February, commencing at 8.45 am. This event will take place on the northern terrace of the Prep School Administration office area, adjacent to the Early Childhood playground. I hope to see you there.

The first meeting of the Prep Support Group will be specifically for Prep Support Group Executive and all class Parent Reps, and will be held on Thursday 21 February at 8.30 am in Lanskey Theatre. Other parents are also welcome to attend. The first full meeting of the Prep Support Group will be Thursday 28 March at 8.30 am in the Lanskey Theatre. The Lanskey Theatre is in the Lanskey Building in the Senior School. Enter via Gate 5 (between Morris Hall and the Chapel), and take a left turn at the statue of Canon Morris followed by a quick right turn. The theatre is situated to the left-hand or northern side of the Lanskey building.

Prep Cocktail Party

One of the activities undertaken by the Prep Support Group is to organise the Prep Cocktail Party. The aims of the evening are, firstly, to enjoy the wonderful community that is Churchie Prep and, secondly, to raise money that can be used to directly benefit the boys. We hope that many parents and their friends will be able to attend. This year the Prep Cocktail Party will be on Saturday 2 March at Rydges, South Bank. It is an occasion not to be missed!

Accelerated Reader (AR)

Classes in Years 3 to 6 will begin their AR programme in the coming days, when the teachers conduct the Star Reading assessment. The Star Reading assessment is an online reading comprehension test that provides teachers with the information they need to assign the boys a reading level to begin their 2019 reading.

Welcome to 2019, a brand-new year of reading fun at Churchie Prep.

JB Adams Memorial Library

Opening hours
The Prep School’s JB Adams Memorial Library is open for general borrowing and library use each day:

before school from 8 to 8.30 am

during lunch from 1.25 to 1.45 pm

after school from 3 to 3.30 pm.

Each class has a routine borrowing session in the timetable, but boys are encouraged to visit the library before and after school or at lunchtime when they need a new book.

Reception to Year 3 borrowing
Boys in Reception and Years 1 to 3 are required to have their library satchel with them to be allowed to borrow. This helps the boys learn to take care of library resources.

International Book Giving Day: Share the love of books with a child.International Book Giving Day is an initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books. Held on 14 February each year, the focus of International Book Giving Day is on encouraging people worldwide to give a book to a child. To celebrate International Book Giving Day, we are collecting new children’s books which will be donated to the Children’s Library collection at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. The hospital has requested that only new books are donated to prevent the transfer of germs. Book donations can be left in the Prep Library during Week 3. Prep School parents are invited to share a story with their son at our Library Open Morning sessions which will be held on Thursday 14 February. This is an opportunity to explore the library with your son and meet the library staff, who will be available to discuss children’s literature and the Accelerated Reader programme. The Open Morning sessions will be held before school and after school from 8 to 8.30 am and 3 to 3.30 pm. Parents and boys are welcome to attend either session. Please note, you are very welcome to bring your own beverage into the library.

Parent Volunteers in the Prep Library
We welcome parent help in the Prep Library. Library volunteering is a very flexible arrangement and easily fits into your schedule. Are you able to help for half an hour at drop-off or pick-up time? Maybe you have an hour spare before an appointment. It’s also a lovely way to meet other parents. Please drop by or contact us via email if you would like to find out how you can help keep books in our boys’ hands.

Diaries

By now, your son should be making full use of his diary by recording homework, messages and items needed for the following day. Please check it daily and make sure he completes all information at the front of the diary. Parents are asked to sign their son’s diary each Wednesday to indicate they have read this newsletter.

Tuckshop

The Prep Tuckshop operates Monday to Friday. Parental support of the tuckshop helps sustain its viability as a five-days-per-week service to the students. Rosters are drawn up and many volunteers are needed. Please consider volunteering your assistance at whatever frequency is possible (e.g. monthly, fortnightly). Wednesday and Friday are the busiest days and extra volunteers are needed for these days. Every offer of assistance will be welcomed and your son will be proud to know you are in the Tuckshop on his special day. Mothers, fathers and grandparents are all welcome. If you are able to help, please contact the Prep Office on 3896 2219.

Tuckshop Orders

Tuckshop orders are to be made online only and the lunch order cut-off time is 8 am.
To place an online order, simply go to the tuckshop page on the Churchie website and login with your ID and password. Once logged in, you will see your My Student Account listing your son’s name and account balance. Please add funds to the account via credit card online payments (Visa and MasterCard). For more information, please refer to the My Student Account-FAQ.

Medications

Please note that, in keeping with school policy, if your son needs to take medication while at school, the medication must be administered by our Health Centre staff. Medication to be administered should be in its original packaging with clear directions for its administration and a note from the parent. Please provide this to your son’s form teacher, who will ensure that it is provided to the Health Centre.

Michael DunnHead of Preparatory School

Senior School News

Family Chapel Services

The Annual House Chapel Services will commence from this Sunday, and families are invited to join their house to come together as a community to worship. All Year 7 students will be welcomed into their house by receiving their house badge and the seniors will be presented with their senior badges.

Dress for students at the Family Chapel Services will be Whites with blazer (no hat) and dark grey socks.

Churchie Valentines Dance for the Heart Foundation

Date: Saturday 9 February
Time: 6.30 to 8.30 pm
Cost: Tickets are $15 and payable at the door. This includes entry and a ticket in the lucky door prize.
Girls and boys in Years 7 to 9 are invited to attend

A cloak room is available, and all bags should be lodged, before entry.

Please note:

Both boys and girls are to dress appropriately. Inappropriate dress will not be tolerated and admission to the dance will be denied.

Alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs are strictly prohibited.

Girls and boys must show ID to gain entry (tickets are not required for entry).

Only Churchie boys will be admitted.

Viking Café and The Arches

Please note that the Viking Café and The Arches are cashless. Churchie students should pay by their Smart Card (student card). To top up the Smart Card, visit the Tuckshop page on the Churchie website and login to myChurchie with your ID and password. For more information, please refer to the My Student Account-FAQ. Accounts can also be topped up with cash at the Churchie Shop.

Please be reminded that students must present their cards when they pay by Student Smart Card, and students must not share their cards with siblings or other students.

Daily spending limit
Please inform your son if you have set a daily spending limit on his card.

Set a low balance notification
You can set a low balance value notification email for when the account balance on the student smart card falls below a nominated amount.

Operating Hours during term time:
Viking Café Weekdays from 7.30 am to 3.30 pm
The Arches Weekdays from 7 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 7 to 11.30 am

The following protocols relate to Senior School student use when visiting The Arches on school days:

Students are only permitted to use The Arches before school, at lunch time and after school during term time.

Students may order food and beverages from The Arches before 8.10 am and after 3.10 pm during term time. At lunch time, purchases can be made from 12.45 pm to 1.15 pm.

Only food and drinks purchased at The Arches may be consumed in the seating areas (including the outdoor area).

No food or drink is to be taken from The Arches into The Centenary Library.

Students are required to use their smart card (student card) for all purchases.

Student must leave all bags in their locker when using the café. They are not to bring a school bag into the café.

Career News

Changes to Admissions at the Australian National University (ANU)

Following on from the success of the prestigious Tuckwell Scholarships, which traditionally opened in March each year, ANU has a new approach to admissions, scholarships and accommodation.

Domestic students in Year 12 will now apply to ANU between March and May 2019. This single application will cover admissions, accommodation and scholarships. Applicants to ANU will know before they complete Year 12 whether they have a place at ANU, and this offer will come with clarity about the cost of coming to university and campus accommodation.

UMAT Admissions Test replaced by the UCAT

In 2019, the UMAT—required for a number of degrees in Health Science, including Dentistry and Medicine—will be replaced by the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). This is a two-hour computer-based test. It will be offered on a number of dates in July. Registration for the UCAT will open in March and closes mid-May. More details are available on the UCAT website.

Applications to US or UK

If you are intending to apply to Universities in the UK or the US for 2020, please see Mr Gannon early in the year for information pertaining to the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing and the SAT, as well as important closing dates.

Stanford University Tour

Expressions of Interest: 2019 Stanford University USA Tour

Years 9 and 10, 6-18 August 2019

Following the outstanding success of our previous tours, Churchie has again partnered with Stanford University (California, USA) to offer ten Year 9 and 10 2019 students a unique opportunity to pursue a 10-day academic programme in August 2019 at the Stanford University Pre-Collegiate International Institute.

Students from all over the world attend the Institute each year to engage in a comprehensive programme that includes advanced content, decision-making, leadership and skills development. This is essentially a fully-immersed, learning opportunity in an international setting.

The academic programme exposes students to university-level content and teaching styles in lectures and tutorials to foster communication, innovation, and creativity. Courses, labs, and workshops draw on a range of subjects taught in the Stanford schools of Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine and Business.

We are anticipating a large number of applications for the ten places available on this tour. As such, the final selection of candidates will be determined by Ms Marcia Brumpton in her role as Acting Deputy Headmaster (Academic) and Mr Paul Diete, Dean of Studies Years 7-9.

To express interest, students will receive access to a survey link for which they will require parent advice and permission. For further advice please do not hesitate to contact Mr Grant Smith or Mr John Collins in the Senior School.

Academic Tutors

At the start of the academic year, it is timely to revisit or introduce some expectations and good practices for private tutoring in The Centenary Library. A number of these practices are also worth considering if you are embarking on tutoring in your home.

We all start from the same position. That is, we all want the best outcomes—both academic and ethical—for the young people in our lives. So, here are some considerations.

First, best practice tutoring is often achieved by employing a process:

Observe their performance and identify strengths, weaknesses and remediation.

Instruct your student to reflect on your feedback.

Begin the process again.

This competence-building process can frustrate students who are focused on the answer and not how to arrive at it. Avoid simply putting your own hands on the keyboard or pen and doing it yourself. Any student submitting work that is not their own is in breach of Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, International Baccalaureate and university academic honesty rules. The QCAA defines academic misconduct as:

submitting work which has been produced by someone else on the student’s behalf as if it were the work of the student

or producing work in conjunction with other people (other students, a tutor, parents) when it is purported to be work from the student’s own independent research.

Source: QCAA

When faced with a student anxious to perform well, but demanding a shortcut, tutors should:

stay calm

listen first (don’t be defensive)

create transparency (correct misinformation)

talk straight (be accurate – not too soft nor too harsh)

confront reality and right wrongs (build trust - admit shared errors)

clarify expectations (be clear about what happens next).

Source: QUT

Completing the work for a student undermines the confidence, effectiveness, sustainability and repeatability necessary for external testing and post-school academic success.

Finally, a student’s ability is not fixed; knowledgeable and calm instruction partnered with good student habits should produce successful outcomes.

Chaplain’s Corner

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Psalm 85 v5

Confirmation

4 pm
Sunday 3 March

Students in Year 9 and above are invited to make this important and decisive step in their spiritual life. Confirmation is administered by the Bishop with the laying on of hands and anointing with Chrism Oil. Preparation is part of the Religious Education classes, so every boy is prepared for Confirmation.

We recommend that any student (in Year 9 or above) who has been admitted to Holy Communion takes this next step. Sisters, parents and other members of the family are welcome to join us and be confirmed as well.

Sport News

Volleyball

Churchie Volleyball has been preparing well for the 2019 season. With our largest contingent of players ever, Churchie will nominate 22 teams and 231 players in the GPS Volleyball competition.

In what was a very busy off-season, our First VI attended the Queensland Senior Schools Cup in August and placed fourth in the state. We then embarked on a tour to Melbourne where the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup was being held. In just under one week, over 20 games of quality volleyball were played with all boys returning better from the experience. It is important to note our senior team placed seventh in Australia, which is a remarkable achievement.

Last Saturday, all teams had their final rehearsal before GPS Round 1, with pre-season games versus Ipswich Grammar School and Craigslea State High School. It was an ideal opportunity to organise teams and combinations in readiness for the tough seven weeks of competition in Term 1.

Congratulations to Henry Trimmer (Year 12) who was named Captain of Volleyball for 2019. A returning First VI player from the undefeated premiership winning 2017 and 2018 firsts, Henry will do a fantastic job in this role and has already implemented some exciting ideas which will benefit the programme for years to come.

The GPS Volleyball season starts this Saturday 2 February with games hosted by Brisbane State High School. Please note, some games may be played at a second venue and other supplementary games may be played at Churchie.

Cricket

Well done on completing the first week of a new school year. For many of the players it will be the second week of games after a very busy Cricket Week full of fixtures. Boys who haven't yet had the opportunity to play, be it as a result of not trialling, injury or other reasons, are asked to go down to the nets and identify themselves to the coaches.

Our coaches have all been involved in the grading process and can quickly identify where we can use you and where your skill level should see you placed. We particularly encourage new boys in Year 7 to keep coming to training.

In Week 4, our internal competition, the CIP league, starts. Also, around the same time, the Churchie Prep League (CPL) gets underway. This is a great way for boys who have not made GPS teams to be immersed in a competitive environment with their peers and still have access to quality coaching in a fun environment. We have had several boys who have come through the ranks from CIP 2018 who have now been selected in the GPS teams for 2019.

I must pass on my thanks to the Cricket Support Group for their support in organising the canteen this weekend in conjunction with the Second and Third XI parents. It was great to see all the helping hands in the Brenan Pavilion making our guests from Brisbane Boys’ College feel welcome.

This weekend, the Year 11 parents are called upon to assist in the canteen (A Team in the morning, B Team in the afternoon, C Team as per the draw) and an age group coordinator will be in touch with Year 11 parents to help organise the roster during the week.

Special mention must be made of the Pink Stumps round this weekend in conjunction with The Southport School (TSS) as part of our service event, which raises funds for the McGrath Foundation. Boys can wear pink socks (for purchase on Friday and Saturday morning) and parents and friends are encouraged to get involved and don their best pink outfits. Games will also have various pink items the boys can use on the day, located at their playing field. On Friday, lolly bags, drinks, cupcakes and a sausage sizzle, along with pink socks, will be available for sale at lunchtime.

Finally, please be reminded that the draw and team lists are made available during the course of the week on myChurchie, usually by Thursday.

I encourage all parents to check in again on Friday evening to ensure there haven't been any changes.

All other announcements and reminders are also posted in TeamApp. Follow @ChurchieSport on Twitter for other general sport updates.

Wishing you a fantastic week and I encourage all the boys to dig deep against TSS.

Rowing

Churchie Rowing started its 2019 regatta campaign with excellent numbers of crews taking to the waters of Lake Wyaralong last Saturday. The rowers did an awesome job abiding by the boat rosters and regatta programme and attained commendable race placings in their respective age groups and divisions.

The junior rowers (current Year 9 boys with Year 8 coxswains) did a fantastic job of waking up to make the 5 am meeting on Saturday at Morris Hall to catch the bus. All 15 junior quads were in fine form, if not a little nervous at the prospect of (at last) participating in their first GPS rowing race over 1000 metres. With Churchie only commencing its rowing programme from Term 4 Year 8, most opposition crews were in their second season of competition so to see almost all our of junior quads finishing well within the pack was a tribute to some dedicated coaching and commitment by the boys.

The Year 10 age group had a very strong showing, with almost all twelve crews finishing in the top three placings in their races. This age group is very competitive and are ones to watch over the coming weeks as the crews develop.

In the two senior age groups (Year 11 and Open), Churchie boated eight VIIIs: five Year 11 boats and three open crews. All crews featured strongly in their events on the back of a successful January rowing camp. The open First VIII finished very well in a quality field and second behind Nudgee College in each round of close racing.

The Rowing Support Group—led by Rob McAdam—did a fantastic job in moving all infrastructure for the rowers and parent supporters to and from the dam. We have a truly amazing support team in place now.

All coaching staff are looking forward to the second regatta this weekend for a full card of racing to consolidate a good start.

Swimming

It was excellent to witness the participation of boys over the past week and to see the pool buzzing with activity. This week was another busy one. Wednesday morning’s training was a fantastic way to kick the GPS season further into gear. I thank our volunteers for putting on such a terrific breakfast to help feed the hungry swimmers after they put their all into training.

Friday afternoon saw both Prep and Senior School join at The Barry McCart Aquatic Centre for the first GPS time trials. Swimming Captain Jake Bible led the huge number of new and old boys in a Churchie war cry, which stretched the length of the pool. There is a great vibe and all coaches and staff are looking forward to this Friday’s visit to Chandler.

The following Churchie students competed at the Queensland State Championships from Saturday 15 December to Friday 21 December 2018:

Elliot Weber came first in the 100 metres breaststroke, first in the 200 metres breaststroke, seventh in the 100 metres freestyle and sixth in the 200 metres individual medley.

Hadley Mayo was awarded a silver medal in the boys’ 16 years 200 metres individual medley, also making finals in five other events.

James Yu collected two bronze medals in the boys’ 14 years 100 metres freestyle and the 14 years 100 metres backstroke. James also competed in four other finals.

Kai Taylor came fourth in the 100 metres freestyle.

The Churchie Swim Club placed 23rd overall in the club standings.

Last Saturday and Sunday saw many Churchie boys compete at the Brisbane Swimming Sprint Championships. James Yu won three gold medals, also breaking a Brisbane record. Elliot Weber won gold in the 50 metres breaststroke, also breaking the Brisbane record. Kai Taylor won silver in the 50 metres freestyle and bronze in the 50 metres butterfly. Hadley Mayo won silver in the 50 metres butterfly. Jack Dugandzic won silver in the 50 metres breaststroke. Charlie O’Connell won silver in the 50 metres butterfly. William Shepherd-Smith won bronze in the 50 metres breaststroke. Thomas Carrick also made three finals.

Chandler meet 8 February 2019 (compulsory event for GPS swimmers)
Below are brief details for Friday night. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Lorrimer. Due to the length of our season, these events are important in our preparation and, as such, it is expected boys will be in attendance. Please ask your son to see Mr Lorrimer if he is not attending so plans can be made accordingly.

Date: Friday 8 February 2019.
Venue: Brisbane Aquatic Centre (Chandler).
Time: Arrive at 5.45 pm for 6 pm warm up (event to conclude at approximately 8.30 pm).
Uniform: Churchie swimming shirt, blue shorts, Churchie swimmers, runners (no thongs please).
Transport: Day boys are to make own arrangements, boarders will travel in a maxi taxi to and from the event. Dinner will be organised for boarders.

Thank you for your support of the GPS Swimming programme at Churchie. All information above will also be posted to the Portal and uploaded to Team App. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Lorrimer.

Football

A team trials
Trials for Years 7 to 9 A Teams will occur in weeks 2 and 3 of this term. Trials for Years 10 to 11A and Second and Third XI will occur over five weeks from week 3 of this term.

Where there is a clash with the nominated trial time and a current summer sport commitment, boys are to email the Director of Football Mr Lennon in advance of the trial date and attend their normal summer sport training session. Boys are to attend as many of their age group’s trials as they can but are reminded that clashes with summer GPS sports take priority over trials.

Only boys who played at A or B level in 2018 or are new to Churchie should attend these trials. Trials for B to E teams will occur in weeks 8 to 10 of this term.

Injured players should notify Mr Lennon by email in advance of the trial to explain why they cannot attend. All trials will be held on Smith Field. Boys need to bring training gear, including boots, shin pads and a water bottle to trials.

Years 10 to 12
10A: Thursdays from 6.15 to 7.45 am from 14 February to 14 March.
11A: Wednesday from 3.30 to 5 pm from 13 February to 13 March.
Second and Third XI: Thursdays from 3.30 to 5 pm from 14 February to 14 March.

Churchie Football (soccer) Prep School Clinics
The Churchie Football Prep School Clinics are on again. This has been a successful event in the past and we are looking forward to working with the boys to continue to develop their football skills.
Dates: Wednesdays from 3.30 to 4.30 pm from 13 February to 20 March.

Cross Country

Captain of Cross Country Ky Robinson competed in the Under 20 World Cross Country Trials over the Australia Day long weekend. He finished eighth, just missing selection. The top six were selected to represent Australia at the World Cross Country Championships in Denmark in March. This is an outstanding effort for a 16-year-old.

Training for Years 7 to 12 Cross Country will start on Monday 11 February.

Training roll sign on starts at 6 am with warm up starting at 6.15 am sharp. If you are not signed in by warm up start, you do not train with the team.

If you are interested in being part of the Churchie Cross Country team in 2019, please make sure you have registered via myChurchie. Training and season details will be sent to all registered athletes later this week.

Chess

During the holidays, many of our Churchie Chess players excelled in state, national and international competitions. The Premier Team consisting of Henry Slater-Jones (Year 12), Michael Ostapenko (Year 10), Alexander Au (Year 11), Jason Wang (Year 10) and Dashiell Young (Year 9) tied for third place (fourth on countback) against the top schools in Australia at the Australian School Team Championships held in Adelaide in early December. Michael and Jason were awarded board prizes for their respective boards. In the Prep School, Sravan Renjith (Year 6) and Zerui Xing (Year 2) tied for second place with MacGregor State School. Sravan received a perfect score on board one, and was awarded the board one prize. Aditya Ghai (Year 8) played for Prince Alfred College and tied for third place (fourth on tiebreak).

Many Churchie boys competed the Queensland Junior Lighting and Problem Solving Championship held in Brisbane in December. Alexavier Ly Liu (Year 8) placed first in the U12 Lighting, Sravan Renjith placed first in the U16 Lighting and first in U18 problem-solving. Henry Slater-Jones placed first in the U18 Open.
From 5 to 13 January, the top Churchie players went to Auckland, New Zealand for the Oceanic Junior (U20) Chess Championship. While most of the top players didn’t place, primary student Sravan Renjith placed first in the U12 Open Division and received a conditional FM title in the process.

Later that week, Alexavier Ly Liu and Michael Ostapenko competed in the Australian Junior Chess Championship. Alexavier Ly Liu played admirably against the best Australian U14 players and finished with an impressive score of 5/9, coming eighteenth in the 60-player competition. Michael Ostapenko, backing up from Oceanic Youth in New Zealand, played some very good chess, achieving second place in the U18 open (after countback) with some juniors four years older than him!

These incredible results over the holiday period place Churchie Chess in a good position for further success in 2019.

The 2019 season starts on Tuesday 12 February with the Churchie Chess Academy meeting in the lower floor of the Fisher building in the Senior School.

Speed and agility training

For students interested into improving their speed, strength, agility and power to excel in their chosen sports, Matt Scott from Speed and Agility Training is offering tailored programmes held at Churchie this term. View further details.

Parents and Friends Association

Connectivity

In linking families together for communication and fostering friendships, the Mothers Committee is the custodian of a secure database used to record and store contact details of those parents who have completed the Connectivity Consent Form and wish to:

share their contact details with their year and house parent groups

receive Mothers Committee correspondence.

Volunteer Year and House Coordinators act as a point of contact for parent queries and assist in organising any informal, non-school sponsored parent/family social events.